Region Of Costa Rica Research Articles

Bee pollination affects coffee quality, yield, and trade-offs within them

Bees provide valuable pollination services by increasing crop yields. However, pollination services to crop quality – which often determines nutritional and financial value – have been less studied, particularly in tropical commodities such as coffee. Understanding how pollination affects coffee quality is critical because high-quality coffee on the specialty market fetches higher prices, which can potentially benefit farmers more than just focusing on yield alone. This study aimed to test the effects of bee pollination on coffee yield and quality and to evaluate possible trade-offs within them. We conducted bee-exclusion experiments on 30 coffee plants in the Tarrazú region of Costa Rica, controlling for several factors associated with coffee quality. At the end of the growing season, we harvested the berries and compared yield (that is, fruit set and weight) and quality (that is, the cup profiles of certified coffee tasters) among treatments. Our results indicate that bee pollination can lead to trade-offs in coffee production. Bee pollination significantly increased final fruit set by 9 % and the desired aroma scores by 2 %. However, these fruits weighed 7 % less than self-pollinated berries and displayed more body but less balance in their cup profiles. This is one of the first experimental studies to evaluate pollination services for coffee, considering not just yield but also its cup profile. We provide early evidence suggesting bee pollination improves coffee aroma, a critical quality attribute in specialty coffee. Our research emphasizes the importance of protecting or restoring bee habitats in coffee farms, which can not only improve income for coffee producers but also conserve biodiversity. Integrating these ecological insights into initiatives like 'bee-friendly' coffee production presents an innovative approach for stakeholders in the coffee supply chain and can serve as a strategic nexus of agricultural, economic, and ecological interests.

Costa Rican Propolis Chemical Compositions: Nemorosone Found to Be Present in an Exclusive Geographical Zone.

The chemistry of Costa Rican propolis from Apis mellifera remains underexplored despite its potential applications. This study identified its chemical composition, linking chemotypes to antioxidant potential. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra were obtained for 119 propolis extracts and analyzed using multivariate analyses. In parallel, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay was used to assess antioxidant activity. A generalized linear regression model (GLM) correlated this with its chemical profiles and geographical origin. Chromatographic methods were used to isolate active and inactive compounds, which were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed three chemical profile groups for the 119 propolis extracts, explaining 73% of the total variance with two components. Radical scavenging activity was found to correlate with chemical composition. Isolation yielded n-coniferyl benzoate in type I (EC50 = 190 µg/mL, ORAC = 0.60 µmol TE/µmol) and nemorosone in type II (EC50 = 300 µg/mL, ORAC = 0.7 µmol TE/µmol). Type III was represented in terpene-like components, which exhibited lower antioxidant activity. This study categorizes Costa Rican propolis into three chemical types and identifies two key components linked to antioxidant activity. Notably, nemorosone, a valuable natural product, was found to be highly concentrated in a particular region of Costa Rica.

Beyond assessments: Exploring strategies for Afro-Descendant students’ success in Costa Rica

Purpose: This research aims to critically analyze the potential ramifications of comprehensive assessments on marginalized communities, with a specific focus on Afro-descendant students in the Caribbean/Atlantic region of Costa Rica. It intends to identify the potential effects of these assessments and propose policy and practice adjustments that can enhance their educational outcomes. Research methodology: This research analyzes the recent assessment requirements and the historical background of educational assessments in Costa Rica and explores alternative teaching methods, including culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) and the impact of the dialect and language continuum. Furthermore, the potential benefits of integrating the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy into the curriculum of all public schools are also investigated. Results: Based on the analysis conducted, recommendations for policy and practice changes to address the potential impact of assessments on Afro-descendant students include creating a culturally responsive curriculum, recognizing non-standard dialects, using alternative assessment approaches, and emphasizing consideration of marginalized communities' needs and experiences in educational policy and practice decisions. Limitations: This review does not provide an empirical investigation but rather synthesizes existing literature and provides recommendations for future research. Contribution: This research significantly contributes to the existing literature on educational policy and practice in marginalized communities, particularly in relation to students of African descent in Costa Rica and suggests ways to improve their educational outcomes. Its insight can be of interest to policymakers, educators, and future researchers in education and social justice.

Evaluation of the Optimal Uses of Five Genotypes of Musa textilis Fiber Grown in the Tropical Region

Knowing the genotypes of Musa textilis and its fiber production properties is key for developing cultivars with homogeneous properties and focusing on specific products or market segments that generate added value to the fiber. For this reason, the objective was to determine the optimal use of five genotypes of M. textilis (MT01, MT03, MT07, MT11, and CF01) with high productivity grown in the tropical region of Costa Rica. Therefore, anatomical, physical-mechanical, chemical, and energetic analyses were carried out on these fibers to define whether any genotype has the ideal conditions for a specific use. The results showed differences between the genotypes, obtaining significant differences in physical-mechanical properties (tension, water retention, and color), chemical properties (holocellulose, lignin, extractives, and elemental values of nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur), and energetic properties (volatiles, ash, and caloric value thermogravimetric analyses), which resulted in the establishment of two groups of genotypes with a dissimilarity degree of 35%. The first group, composed of MT03 and MT01, presented characteristics suitable for paper production, biodegradable materials, and composite materials. On the other hand, the second group, made up of MT07, MT11, and CF01, showed properties suitable for textiles, heavy-duty fibers, and bioenergy.

Aristolochia quiricoana (Aristolochiaceae), una nueva especie del sur de Costa Rica

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Aristolochia es el género más grande de Aristolochiaceae y está ampliamente distribuido en el mundo. Una sinopsis reciente de Aristolochia en Costa Rica reconoció 19 especies; sin embargo, una reciente exploración botánica en la parte suroeste de Costa Rica ha revelado otra nueva especie del género.Métodos: La nueva especie resultó del trabajo de campo en Buenos Aires, Provincia de Puntarenas. Se examinaron ejemplares de varios herbarios, así como el material tipo de las especies más similares morfológicamente. Se proporcionan comentarios sobre su distribución, hábitat, fenología, estado de conservación y distinción morfológica de especies relacionadas.Resultados clave: Aristolochia quiricoana, miembro de Aristolochia serie Thyrsicae, se describe e ilustra de la región del Pacífico sur de Costa Rica, donde aparentemente es endémica. Es semejante a A. ornithorhyncha, de la cual se distingue por sus pedicelos más cortos, los limbos del perigonio más anchos y oblongos, con un apéndice más corto, y un patrón diferente de colores de la flor.Conclusiones: El nuevo taxón descrito aquí representa la 22ª especie documentada de Aristolochia serie Thyrsicae, así como la 20ª especie del género para Costa Rica.

<p><strong>A new species of understory palm of the genus <em>Chamaedorea</em> (Arecaceae: Arecoideae) from Costa Rica</strong></p>

Chamaedorea vanninii Cascante & Muller (Arecaceae, Chamaedoreeae) from the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica, Southern Central America, is described and illustrated. This new species is characterized by its orange ripe fruits with a conspicuous echinulate-medusoid epicarp. It is related to C. robertii which possesses black and smooth fruits. In addition, the androecium of staminate flowers of C. vanninii is composed of a single whorl of three stamens. This new species belongs to subgenus Chamaedoropsis and is provisionally considered as an endemic species and Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List criteria) because of its restricted geographic range and small population.

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of surface food residues in pre-Columbian ceramics from the southern Pacific of Costa Rica as evidence of prehistoric human diets

Introduction: to understand and interpret the consumption of plants and animals by humans in the past requires the investigation of different lines of evidence. Identifiable macroscopic remains of plants and animals, for example seeds and bones, are frequently found at archaeological sites and provide key data on food resources. Their analysis is complemented by the study of pollen grains or phytoliths of cultivated plants within archaeological horizons or in sediment cores recovered from lakes and wetlands near archaeological sites. Another important source of information on human diets in the past consists of food residues preserved in or on artefacts excavated from archaeological sites. Objective: to examine food residues in archaeological pottery from coastal and interior sites in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Methods: we focus on isotopic analysis of carbonized food residues preserved on the inner surfaces of ceramic pots, plates, and other ceramic pieces from archaeological excavations in the intermediate zone (elevations 500-1500m) and coastal zone of the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Isotopic analysis of surface food residues on pottery relies on the fact that stable isotopes of carbon (12C and 13C) and nitrogen (14N and 15N) in foods differ based on the photosynthetic pathway of plants and on trophic level. Results: in our analysis of material from twelve sites we found evidence of diets with high amounts of C4 plants (likely maize), legumes, herbivores, and mixtures, but we did not find robust evidence of food residues with isotopic signatures characteristic of reef animals and mollusks, even though some sites are shell mounds. Conclusion: our research represents one of the first studies of surface food residues from Costa Rican pottery, and indicates the potential for studies of this type to strengthen understanding of indigenous subsistence patterns through time and across Costa Rican archaeological regions.

Application of multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods to detect common bacterial fish pathogens in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, hatcheries in Costa Rica

Edwardsiella spp., Streptococcus spp., and Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis are some of the most important fish pathogens affecting global tilapia, Oreochromis spp., aquaculture. In Costa Rica, the aquaculture industry is dominated by freshwater‐cultured Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, which are raised in all seven national provinces. At present, little is known regarding the diversity of pathogens present in these facilities, and definitive identification of agents associated with disease outbreaks are rare. To evaluate the prevalence of common bacterial pathogens in these systems, this study used multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays targeting Edwardsiella, Streptococcus, and Francisella species as a diagnostic and surveillance tool. In 2017, seven different tilapia hatcheries were visited, and 350 fingerlings were subjected to necropsy and molecular diagnostic evaluation. Fish exhibiting gross signs of disease were subjected to histological and microbiological analysis. For the first time, Edwardsiella anguillarum was recovered and molecularly confirmed from diseased tilapia in Costa Rica. In addition, F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis was identified in a region of Costa Rica where it had not been previously reported.

Estado poblacional de mamíferos terrestres en dos áreas protegidas de la región central occidental de Costa Rica

In the West Central Region of Costa Rica, there are plenty of forests under public and private protection; however, they are increasingly exposed to fragmentation. This is the first report about species richness and the relative abundance of large and medium size terrestrial mammals, in Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve (ReBAMB) and Nectandra Cloud Forest Reserve (RPN). Our camera trap study was undertaken between April and August, 2008. After 1 620 trap-days, 11 species were identified, nine in ReBAMB and six in RPN. The recorded species in both sites were: Cuniculus paca, Dasyprocta punctata, Nasua narica and Pecari tajacu. Felids were only captured in ReBAMB. The peccary (P. tajacu) was the most abundant mammal within the studied area, in contrast with the apparent absence of species such as white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) and jaguar (Panthera onca). The difference in species composition between both sites was probably consequence of habitat fragmentation, which especially affects RPN. Species as white-lipped peccary and jaguar could be affected, directly or indirectly, by poaching. We propose that a good conservation goal for ReBAMB and due to their ecological importance is to have at least a white-lipped peccary’s population for the next ten years.

First record of Porocephalus cf. clavatus (Pentastomida: Porocephalida) as a parasite on Bothrops asper (Squamata: Viperidae) in Costa Rica.

Pentastomids are parasites that infect respiratory cavities of vertebrates, they are pretty common but poorly known in wildlife veterinary. A Bothrops asper snake (Garman, 1884) was captured in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica and had its lung infested with pentastomids, identified as ca Porocephalus clavatus (Wyman, 1845). This represents the first record of Porocephalus (Humboldt, 1812) on B. asper as well as P. cf. clavatus in Costa Rica. Further studies are needed to clarify their taxonomic position, images and scanning electron microscopy photographs (SEM) of the specimens are given.

Disponibilidad del recurso hídrico en la microcuenca del río Bermúdez. Región central de Costa Rica.

La microcuenca del río Bermúdez es parte de la principal zona de explotación hídrica en la región Central de Costa Rica, razón por la cual se realiza un diagnóstico de la disponibilidad del recurso hídrico en esta microcuenca donde se identifican las áreas con mayor problemática de disponibilidad de este recurso. Para ello se calculó un balance hídrico mensual, según uso del suelo, unidad geomorfológica y zona climática. Con base en este balance se determinó y clasificó la disponibilidad del recurso, identificando en la microcuenca solamente tres categorías: alta, media y moderada. No existen áreas de baja disponibilidad de recurso hídrico lo que demuestra que la oferta es suficiente, sin embargo, existe una presión importante sobre el recurso hídrico pues más de la mitad del área de la microcuenca se encuentra con una disponibilidad moderada.

Ecotourism, Stated Preferences, a Paradox between Environmental Awareness and Environmental Actions: The Case of Monteverde, Costa Rica

This study aims to assess the relation between the so called “Ecotourism” behavior and Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) in order to compensate on site for their carbon foot print, plus their familiarity with common environmental terms, in the Monteverde Region of Costa Rica. A Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was decided upon as the best way to determine the willingness to pay (WTP). While the scope of this study is limited by the low season for tourism, the study finds a paradox between the behaviors of the self-called ecotourist suggesting that the term is more related to the location of the area visited, rather than any attempt by the tourist to alter their travel behavior. That could have a negative impact on the very wildlife where the park is trying to protect.

Rediscovery of <i>Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi</i> (Anura: Centrolenidae) in southeastern Costa Rica

The Suretka glass frog, Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi, has been recently rediscovered in the southeastern region of Costa Rica. This species was last reported in Costa Rica in the 1950's. H. chirripoi is distinguished from H. colymbiphyllum, which appears to be its most closely Costa Rican related taxon, by having extensive webbing between fingers II-III.

Scarlet Macaw (Ara <i>macao</i>) (Psitaciformes: Psittacidae) Parental Nest Visitation in Costa Rica: Implications for Research and Conservation

We studied temporal parental visitation of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) to six active nests in the Central Pacific Conservation Region of Costa Rica. Total parental time in the nest decreased significantly as the nestlings aged. Results provide guidelines to scientists for planning invasive activities to nestlings, such as placement of radio collars, or biological sample collection. These activities should be performed close to the end of the nesting period for minimal disturbance of parents and nestlings. Our results also provide information to aid wildlife guards in protecting active nests from poachers when chicks are close to fledging.

Landscape-scale disturbance and protected areas: long-term dynamics of populations of the shrimp, Macrobrachium olfersi in lowland Neotropical streams, Costa Rica

Abstract:Freshwater migratory shrimps, an important component of tropical aquatic ecosystems, are vulnerable to land-use change during their upstream and downstream migrations. At La Selva Biological Station in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica, shrimp population data were collected between 1988 and 1989, before massive land-use change occurred downstream that could potentially affect shrimp recruitment upstream. Using generalized linear models and a Bayesian inference framework, the relative abundance of Macrobrachium olfersi between recent (2008–2011) and historical time periods (1988–1989) was compared in three stream reaches. Shrimp relative abundance in two stream reaches within the protected area of La Selva was relatively constant yearly and between recent post-disturbance (2008–2011) and historical pre-disturbance (1988–89) time periods. In contrast, a stream reach bordered by pasture accessible to fishermen, showed an 87% decrease in relative abundance between recent and historical time periods suggesting site-level disturbance, possibly from fishing. The lack of change between historical and contemporary sampling periods within interior-forest stream reaches suggests that shrimp populations in protected forested reaches are resistant or resilient to certain land-use changes occurring downstream.

First Report of Tomato chlorosis virus Infecting Sweet Pepper in Costa Rica.

In September 2008, a survey of whiteflies and whitefly-borne viruses was performed in 11 pepper-growing greenhouses in the province of Cartago, Costa Rica. During this survey, the vast majority of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Nataly) plants showed interveinal chlorosis, enations, necrosis, and mild upward leaf curling. Large populations of whiteflies were present and they were found to be composed only of Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Total RNA from frozen plant samples was extracted with TRI Reagent (Molecular Research Inc., Cincinnati, OH). RevertAid H Minus Reverse Transcriptase Kit (Fermentas, Hanover, MD) was used for reverse transcription of the total RNA extract, with cDNA synthesis directed using random primers. A real-time PCR assay was performed to detect Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) (genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae) using the SYBR Green PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA). Three sets of primers were used to confirm the presence of ToCV in the samples: TocQ875F/TocQ998R primer set directed to a fragment of 123 bp of the HSP gene (3); ToCVp22RQF (5'-TGGATCTCACTGGTTGCTTG-3')-ToCVp22RQR (5'-TAGTGTTTCAGCGCCAACAG-3') primer pair that amplifies a 198-bp segment of the ToCV p22 gene (R. Hammond, E. Hernandez, J. Guevara, J. A. Vargas, A. Solorzano, R. Castro, N. Barboza, F. Mora, and P. Ramirez, unpublished) and the ToCVCPmRQF (5'-CATTGGTTGGGGATTACGTC-3')-ToCVCPmRQR (5'-TCTCAGCCTTGACTTGAGCA-3') primer pair designed to amplify a 170-bp portion of the ToCV CPm gene (R. Hammond, E. Hernandez, J. Guevara, J. A. Vargas, A. Solorzano, R. Castro, N. Barboza, F. Mora and P. Ramirez, unpublished). Fifteen symptomatic samples per greenhouse were tested for a total of 165 sweet pepper plants. From this total, seven samples from four different greenhouses produced amplification of PCR products with all three sets of primers. One of the seven samples showed mild chlorosis, but others were highly chlorotic with different levels of upward leaf curling. None of the other samples showed amplification with any of the primer sets; the symptoms on these plants could have been due to nutritional deficiencies or infection by viruses. Sequence analysis of the 460-bp HSP PCR products, produced using previously reported primers (3), and 150-bp fragment of the P22 revealed 100% sequence identity with a tomato isolate of ToCV from the United States (GenBank Accession No. AY903448). Because of the low number of samples infected with ToCV and the high incidence of symptoms, DNA extraction and a begomovirus PCR detection assay was performed using primer pair AV494/AC1048 (4). Negative results were obtained for all samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ToCV infecting sweet pepper plants in Costa Rica and the third one worldwide. ToCV has also been found to be infecting tomato in open field and greenhouses (1) and other weeds in greenhouses including Ruta chalepensis (Rutaceae), Phytolacca icosandra (Phytolaccaceae), Plantago major (Plantaginaceae), and Brassica sp. (Brassicaceae) (2) in the same region of Costa Rica, suggesting that it has adapted to the conditions of the area and poses an important threat to the vegetable production.

Morphological Caste Differences in Polybia aequatorialis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae: Epiponini), a Social Wasp of the Highlands of Costa Rica

Many aspects of the biology and organization of Neotropical social wasps in the highlands are unknown. Polybia aequatorialis is a highland wasp of Costa Rica distributed between 1,150 and 3,200 m in altitude, and little information on this species is recorded. We investigated the size of a colony of P. aequatorialis in the Cerro de la Muerte region of Costa Rica, and studied the morphological differences between queens and workers. Measures were taken from 248 reproductive and non-reproductive females, and caste differentiation was analyzed by Discrimination Function Analysis. We did not find a highly pronounced caste distinction in P. aequatorialis, even though ANOVA showed that queens and workers differed in all morphometric measures. The morphological differences between the reproductive and non-reproductive females probably results from a developmental switch, which is a characteristic caste syndrome of Polybia.

Biogeography of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests. Part II: Mapping of Orographic Cloud Immersion

AbstractThis study details two unique methods to quantify cloud-immersion statistics for tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs). The first technique uses a new algorithm for determining cloud-base height using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud products, and the second method uses numerical atmospheric simulation along with geostationary satellite data. Cloud-immersion statistics are determined using MODIS data for March 2003 over the study region consisting of Costa Rica, southern Nicaragua, and northern Panama. Comparison with known locations of cloud forests in northern Costa Rica shows that the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion maps successfully identify known cloud-forest locations in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) database. Large connected regions of cloud immersion are observed in regions in which the trade wind flow is directly impinging upon the mountain slopes; in areas in which the flow is parallel to the slopes, a fractured spatial distribution of TMCFs is observed. Comparisons of the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion map with the model output show that the MODIS product successfully captures the important cloud-immersion patterns in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica. The areal extent of cloud immersion is at a maximum during morning hours and at a minimum during the afternoon, before increasing again in the evening. Cloud-immersion frequencies generally increase with increasing elevation and tend to be higher on the Caribbean Sea side of the mountains. This study shows that the MODIS data may be used successfully to map the biogeography of cloud forests and to quantify cloud immersion over cloud-forest locations.

Soil carbon dynamics in a chronosequence of secondary forests in northeastern Costa Rica

Abstract Secondary forests are becoming an increasingly important tropical landscape component with the potential to provide environmental services such as soil carbon storage. Substantial losses of soil carbon can occur with tropical forest conversion to pasture, but stocks can sometimes be restored with the development of secondary forest. Few studies have taken advantage of shifts in vegetation from C4 to C3 communities to determine soil carbon turnover following secondary forest development on pasture. Because trees quickly colonize abandoned pastures in northeastern Costa Rica, we expected to find evidence of increased soil carbon storage and gradual soil carbon turnover following pasture abandonment. Three early successional and nine late successional secondary sites ranging in age from 2.6 to 33 years, as well as four pastures were used in this study. At each site, mineral soil samples up to 30 cm depth were collected from three plots to determine bulk density, percent soil carbon, and stable carbon isotope values (δ13C). The δ13C of soil respired CO2 was also determined at each site. Contrary to expectations, soil carbon storage did not increase with secondary forest age and was unrelated to increases in aboveground carbon storage. However, pastures stored 19% more carbon than early and late successional sites in the top 10 cm of mineral soil, and successional sites stored 14–18% more carbon than pastures between 10 and 30 cm. δ13C data indicated that most pasture-derived soil carbon in the top 30 cm of soil turned over within 10 years of pasture abandonment and subsequent colonization by trees. Overall, these data indicate that total soil carbon storage remains relatively unchanged following land use transitions from pasture to secondary forest. This is likely due to the presence of large passive pools of mineral-stabilized soil carbon in this region of Costa Rica. The contribution of these forests to increased carbon storage on the landscape is primarily confined to aboveground carbon stocks, though other environmental services may be derived from these forests. In the context of global carbon accounting, it appears that future carbon credits may be best applied to aboveground carbon storage in secondary forests regrowing on soils with large mineral-stabilized soil carbon pools.

Rain Forest Structure at Forest‐Pasture Edges in Northeastern Costa Rica

ABSTRACTLand‐use change in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica has resulted in a fragmented forest landscape with abrupt edges between forest and pasture. Forest responses to edge effects vary widely and can significantly affect ecosystem integrity. Our objective was to examine forest structure at 20+ yr old forest‐pasture edges in Sarapiquí. Three transects with 0.095‐ha plots at seven distances from forest edges were established in each of six forest patches. Stem density, basal area, and aboveground biomass in trees and palms ≥ 10‐cm diameter at breast height were measured in all plots. In addition, hemispherical photographs were taken to determine leaf area index, understory light availability, and percent canopy openness. Linear mixed‐effects models showed significantly higher tree stem density at forest edges, relative to interiors, a pattern reflected by increased stem density, basal area, and aboveground biomass in small diameter trees (≤ 20 cm) growing near edges. No differences in total tree basal area, aboveground biomass, or hemispherical photograph‐derived parameters were detected across the forest edge to interior gradient. The recruitment of small diameter trees following edge creation has contributed to the development of dense vegetation at the forest edge and has aided in the maintenance of similar tree basal area and aboveground biomass between edge and interior environments. These data reflect on the robustness of forest edges in Sarapiquí, a characteristic that will likely minimize future detrimental edge effects and promote a number of high‐value environmental services in these forests.